My Boss Humiliated Me at a Staff Meeting Because of My Pregnancy – His Smile Faded When a Woman Holding a Baby Walked In
After her fiancé disappeared after finding out she was pregnant, Elena believed her life couldn’t be much more stressful. However, the truth about her child’s father suddenly becomes public knowledge after her employer humiliates her in a work meeting.
I lost my life three months ago. You know, I’m serious.
I was 27 years old, engaged to a man I believed I would be with forever, and blissfully ignorant of how easily dreams may fall apart.
I’ll never forget how Ethan’s face froze the day I told him I was expecting.
His voice was stern and low as he questioned, “Are you serious?”
I tried to smile despite my nervousness and nodded.
“We’re going to be parents…”
He murmured something about needing time to reflect instead of the happiness I had hoped for. Then he left through the door.
And he never returned.
I kept it a secret. Not my colleagues, not my family, no one.
How was I able to?
My sister Rebecca headed a separate section of the company where I worked, which was controlled by my father, a strong man. My supervisor, Adam, was her spouse.
Everybody had great hopes for me and my unborn child. However, the father’s truth felt like a ticking time bomb. I couldn’t take the chance. In an attempt to conceal the truth for as long as possible, I moved out on my own and left my parents’ residence.
My father was more than content to spend his days playing golf or taking my mother on extravagant vacations because he had delegated responsibility of his businesses to Rebecca and Adam.
However, secrets tend to come to light, don’t they?
And today, a mean joke made fun of me for it.
Adam, my employer and brother-in-law, decided to make my pregnancy the topic of workplace entertainment when I was standing in the center of the conference room at an all-staff meeting.
He smirked and leaned back in his chair. “So, Elena,” he began. “I’ve heard that congratulations are due. You’re expecting a child? I suppose you’re getting married at last! Excellent, excellent, excellent.
Some of them laughed uneasily. Every eye in the room turned to me, and I could feel the heat rising to my face.
“Guess now you probably have to find the dad, huh?” As if he had just cracked the greatest joke, he added, smacking the table.
Adam wasn’t finished, but the laughing soon died.
However, you shouldn’t be too concerned even if you don’t, right? I take it that single mothers receive good benefits? Perhaps I ought to offer you a yearly raise of $1,000! People, what are your thoughts?
There was silence in the room. I clinched my fists and forced myself not to cry as my chest tightened. What was the origin of this Adam? He had never been this way toward me. He was… different once.
I trembled as I said, “The father of this baby told me that he loved me more than life itself,” “But as soon as he found out, he ran.”
Adam grinned more broadly.
“Well, dudes. “Normal, eh?”
The office’s double doors exploded open just as I was about to leave.
A young woman with a baby walked in with tears in her eyes. She could not have been more than twenty-two or twenty-three, but she stood erect in spite of her tears and shaking hands.
Rebecca and my father followed her.
I adjusted my coat to fit me more snugly around the waist. I had to tell Adam about the baby even though I wasn’t really showing yet. After all, he was my supervisor.
My father said, “No one leave,” in a firm and piercing voice. “You all need to see and hear this conversation.”
Adam’s arrogant smile disappeared in an instant.
He stumbled, “Rebecca,” his voice suddenly passive. “What’s going on?”
Rebecca replied, “What’s going on, Adam,” in a cold tone. “Is that your horrible lies are finally catching up to you.”
When I looked at the mom holding the infant, I felt a knot in my stomach from recognition.
“Lila?” I muttered.
Lila used to work as Rebecca’s assistant. She was someone I had met at a family dinner and a couple of times at work. She had appeared reserved, even timid and shy, but now she had the appearance of someone who had been driven to the brink.
Rebecca’s face was unreadable when she looked at me.
“I understand why Lila quit her work. Elena, I understand why you left your parents’ place. Did you really think I wouldn’t know? Did you think I would accept that, Ethan?
I felt like I was about to faint when my lips dried up.
“Elena, I discovered your diary. You didn’t pack well when you left. However, when you have staff taking care of everything for you, that is nothing new. There, at your bedside, you left your diary. Isn’t Adam the father of your child?
The room echoed with gasps. My knees were weak.
Rebecca wasn’t done yet, though.
“And,” she said in a voice that was shaking with rage. “Adam is the father of her baby too.”
Lila moved forward and brought the infant closer to her bosom as she gestured at her.
Adam’s face became a horrible gray color.
“Rebecca… I… I can explain!”
“Don’t,” she angrily said. “For years, you have been lying to me. You have betrayed me, made me feel ashamed, and shattered my confidence. Adam, we’re done. To me, you’re dead.
Then my father moved forward, his face icy and threatening.
“I’ve heard enough of this nonsense,” he replied. “You’re fired, Adam. With instant effect. Gather your belongings and head off.
Adam started to object, but my dad interrupted him.
“And,” he continued. “You will be responsible for both of these children’s child support payments. I’ll be very certain of it.”
After that, the workplace swiftly cleared out, with the astonished staff leaving murmurs in their wake.
I remained there, not knowing what to say or do, until my father came up to me.
He uttered “Elena,” his voice becoming softer. “Why didn’t you come to me?”
My eyes filled with tears as I gazed at the ground.
I confessed, “I didn’t want to ruin Rebecca’s life,” “And I was afraid of how you’d look at me if you knew the truth.”
He shook his head and moaned.
“This isn’t your fault, baby girl,” he replied. “Just like Adam exploited everyone else, he also manipulated you. Elena, you are my daughter, and you have my undying support.”
I was at a loss for words. Or take action. or sense.
Rebecca came over at that moment, her eyes determined but her cheeks flushed. I briefly feared that she would rip my hair or slap me. Rather, she drew me into an embrace.
She added, “I’m furious, El,” in a shaky voice. “Not at you, though. It was Adam, not you, who ruined our marriage. Together, we’ll solve this.”
Something in me was broken by her comments, and I eventually started crying.
“Because it was an error. If I’m being completely honest with you, I had no idea what had transpired during that one inebriated night at the Christmas party. or how. Ethan fled when I attempted to portray it as his baby.
She said, “I’m here for you,” “This man will be taken for all that he is worth. We’ll raise your child together after that. I mean, if you want.”
My telephone rang a week later.
“Elena,” my dad remarked over the phone. “To replace Adam, I need someone I can rely on. Having worked for the company for five years, you are the most familiar with the team. Your studies are now complete. Will you serve as the acting director? Until the kid is born, at least.”
I gasped.
Did my dad actually accept this? Would he really stand by me? Help us?
“Are you sure, Dad?” I inquired.
“Completely,” was his response. “Darling, I have faith in you. However, give it some thought. Just keep in mind that I will shortly require an answer.
Of course, the response was yes.
Putting myself in Adam’s position hadn’t been simple, but each day I raised my head a little higher as I entered his office. What’s the best part, do you know?
Even though the odds were stacked against her, my child will know that their mother never gave up.
And her family really helped her out.
What about Adam?
He is the past. both at work and in our personal life.
What about Rebecca? Slowly but gradually, we’re repairing our friendship. She is starting to forgive me, but she will never forgive Adam.
Sometimes, once everything is said and done, you discover that you are stronger than you ever thought you were.
Who knows what happened to Ethan, anyway? I don’t. In any case, I’m going to embrace motherhood as a single parent who loves her child without conditions because my baby is on the way.
